Flatwork ironer with selvage smoothing mechanism



Nov. 3, 1942. c. a HAMILTON, SR

FLAT WORK IRONER WITH SELVAGE SMOOTHING MECHANISM 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1940 INVENTOR Charles fair/[n l/mmiionfir ATTORNEY ELECTRICAL CONTROL -WORK MN-v3, 19 c. E. HAMILTON, SR 2,300,889

FLAT WORK IRONER WITH SELVAGE SMOOTHING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 6, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 0 a 57 L w 7 INVENTQR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3,1942

2,ao,sss rmrwoax monaa wrrn SELVAGE SMOOTHING MECHANISM Charles Edwin Hamilton, Sn, Hollywood, Caiii.;

Clair E. Hamilton, executor of said Charles E. Hamilton, Sr., deceased Application August 6,1940, Serial No. 351,575

12 Claims.

' The invention relates to the class of.laundry machines known generally as "flat work ironers, employed solely for ironing flat work such as sheets, towels, table cloths, napkins, etc.

edges of the work frequently are found to be turned back or wrinkled as a result of not having been previously properly shaken out. This, of course, appears as a defect when the work is delivered from the ironer. I

In a co-pending application Serial No. 176,003, filed November 23, 1937, issued November 1940, as U. S, Letters Patent No. 2,220,102, I have disclosed novel apparatus for expeditiously remov- When introducing goods of this nature to the ironer of the usual type, the advancing and trailing delivery end with selvages goods being finally delivered at the opposite or smoothed out and properly ironed.

The invention has for an object, also, to provide apparatus of this nature in which materials of relatively narrow width as well as of consid-- erable width may be mechanically prepared for the ironing operation; and wherein the mechanism may readily be adjusted fortemporary operation solelyas an ironing machine.

In carrying out the invention, there is associated with the usual bank of ironing rolls of a flat work ironerand the feeding means for advancing the goods thereto, the novel smoothinging such defects, said apparatus embodying the principle of presenting the edges between meeting brush members, an edge of the goods being presented preparatory to the ironing operation between rotatingsmoothing or brushing means such as oppositely rotating brushes, the goods reversed and the opposite edge then presented thereto.

It is an object of the present invention to consolidate with the usual type of fiat work ironer, mechanism whereby the goods as fed to the ironing rolls thereof are first properly automatically prepared in respect to their selvages, that is to say, these are fully smoothed or brushed out both. at the advancing edge and the trailing edge so that when the goods are subsequently picked up in their advance by the series of ironing rolls, said selvages will be in a suitable condition for ironing and no, wrinkled or turned-back portion will be present therein when the goods are finally delivered from the machine in ironed condition. j

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus, for thus preparing the selvages of the goods and for ironing the latter, which is suitable for continuous operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the action of the smoothing means on the work is interrupted during periods between presentation of the advancing edge and the trailing edge thereto.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel feeding means for the goods whereby, during any action on the advancing, edge thereof, the trailingedge will be prevented from turning upwardly or curling.

A still further object of the invention is to provide for complete automatic operation after manually placing the goods on a feed table cated at, the entrance end of the apparatus, the

out mechanism which is located intermediate the said feeding means and the rolls. This mechanism embodies elements for contacting the goods upon its opposite sides to smooth out or to brush any wrinkled or turned-back portions of the advancing edge and the trailing edge of the goods so that these edges will be in proper condition for ironing prior to their entry between the said ironing rolls.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section through a flat work ironer equipped with the novel mechanism for smoothing out advancingand trailing edges of goods to be fed to the ironing rolls of said machine. v

.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1 of the drawings, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section, on an enlarged scale and taken on the line 3-3, Fig. 1'of the drawings, looking in "the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 3 of the drawings, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail section illustrating the manner of mounting a drag roll of the machine.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections involved in the operation of the smoothing-out mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, l0 and II designatethe sidewalls of the machine frame and between which are carried the various parts including a horizontally disposed table I2 and a table I! supported thereon in the same plane and separated by a gap It for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Table 13 terminates in the direction I of travel of the goods in the usual turned -down edge or comb portion II in juxtaposition to the first of a series of ironing rolls I! mounted over a steam chest I! between which the goods are passed for ironing. The goods, indicated at 20, are of the nature of sheets, towels, table cloths, napkins, and other items of a flat nature, and travel from the feed and 2| of the machine over both the tables l2 and I3, being conveyed thereover to the rolls It by a plurality of adiacently disposed narrow endless tapes 22, leaving between them longitudinal spaces 23 and driven by a roll 24 extending transversely across the forward part of the machine. Suitable idler rollers 25 and 23 are located beneath the tables and respectively at the entrance portion of the machine iust beyond roll 24 and immediately in advance of the comb l8.

Over a selected number of these tapes and designed to rest upon the top of the goods travelling over the table are a plurality of endless strings 2'I tensioned by a pair of drag rolls 23 and 29 which are mounted for vertical movement, as indicated in Fig. of the drawings, and are adapted to rest upon the. goods and intermediate strings, the latter continuing under and over the periphery of the first of the ironing rolls. The said drag rollers are mounted above the respective table portions i2 and I3 upon opposite sides of the gap I4.

Respectively above and below the said gap I4 are means designed to cooperate for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of the work fed over the table l2, said means comprising separable, juxtaposed and oppositely rotatable elements such as brush members 30 and 3|, respectively. These are mounted on respective shafts 32 and 33 which extend transversely of the machine and may consist of various types of brushing elements. For example, as indicated, they may embody hubs with radially projecting strips of more or less resilient material, such as rubber, and designed for engaging the work as presented thereto upon opposite faces of the same, more especially the advancing and trailing edges of the said goods as they pass. Normally, the brushing means are separated and remain displaced from the gap, being brought together for peripheral contact only as an advancing or trailing edge of the work approaches the said gap l4. The lower of series of brushes then rotates in the gap for engagement with the under surface of the work and the upper series of brushes for engagement with the upper surface of the work. This effects commeans as the goods travel over table l2 and the approach, and separation, of the said brushing means is likewise controlled thereby. Moreover, the period of rotation and active positioning of the brushing members is limited and under control, as hereinafter set forth.

This control of the operation and action of the smoothing-out members r brushes may be efi'ected. mechanically or else cally, preferably by the latter system; and the said brushing members, or rather their shafts 32 and 33, respectively, are mounted for vertical reciprocation, being carried, for example, by pairs of sliding blocks 35 and 35, respectively, affording also bearings for the said shafts 32 and 33. Said blocks are mounted in ways 31 and 33 of the respective sides l0 and H to slide therein. Coiled springs 33 and 33' mounted, for example, between the blocks 35 and 38, respectively, serve to hold normally separated the said blocks and with them the corresponding shafts and brushes.

To transmit the required rotation to therespective shafts, as from a driving motor 40 supported on the side "I of the machine frame,

shafts 32 and 33 are extended beyond, for example, the side IO and carry at their respective outer ends bevel gear wheels 4| and 42. These in turn mesh with bevel gear wheels 43 and 44, respectively, keyed to slide on the motor shaft 45. Said shaft 45 is mounted in bearings 43 and 41 extending laterally from the corresponding blocks 35 and 33 so that the said bearings may slide axially of the shaft to accommodate the separation and approach of the blocks 35 and 36 while at the same time transmitting the rotation of the said shaft to the shafts 32 and 33. Motor 40 is of the reversible type with limit switch means indicated by the switch-box 48 so that the rotation of the motor will be interrupted at a predetermined time interval, all of which is well understood and its specific embodiment forms no particular feature of the invention.

A convenient means of effecting the approach and separation of the shafts 32 and 33 through sliding of their blocks 35 and 38 in ways 31 and 3B, is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. As shown, each set of blocks is provided with lugs for pivotal attachment to bell-cranks mounted on the respective sides In and I I. Thus, lugs 50 provide through a pin 5| and slot 52 for pivotal connection of the blocks 35 with bellcranks 53 pivoted to the sides l0 and II; and lugs 55 through pins 58 and slots 51 pivotally connect the blocks'36 with bell-cranks 58. An adjustable stop 59 serves to limit the degree of approach of the blocks, while the degree of separation of the blocks under the action of springs 39 and 39 is limited by the lugs 50 and 55 striking the ends of the ways 31 and 38.

As stated, the springs maintain normally apart said blocks 35 and 36 and thus maintain the smoothing and brushing-out members out of contact. To cause these blocks to approach each other for engagement with an edge of the work moving over the table l2, provision is made for operating the bell-cranks 53 and 58 accordingly, which may conveniently be accomplished as a toggle movement wherein the two free ends of said bell-cranks are pivotally connected through pins 65 and the slots 65 with the plunger 61 of a solenoid 68. When the solenoid is energized and the plunger drawn inwardly, as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, blocks 35 and 36 will be caused to approach each other against the action of the springs, the extent of approach being limited by stop 59. Upon interruption of the circuit to the solenoids, the springs will be permitted to act to again separate the said blocks. The arrangement is preferably such that the motor and solenoids are operated simultaneously whereby when the motor circuit is interrupted the solenoid circuit will likewise be interrupted and similarly when the'motor circuit is completed, the circuit to the solenoids will be completed.

The circuit control for these operations may be manual, but it is preferred to make them automatic under the action of the fed goods them-:

selves, which may be accomplished by well known electronic means. Thus, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 6, the table I! may be provided with longitudinal slots III upon opposite sides of which are mounted one or more sources of illumination, as the electric lamp 1 l and one or more cooperating photo-electric cells 12. To afford adjustments of these elements with reference to the shafts 32 and 33 in order to time the action of the table 12, said elements may be mounted respectively on cross-bars l3 and H which are supported at their ends in slotted brackets 18 and 1.6 secured-to the side frames l and II. The

said elements may thus be moved longitudinally of the table in said slots and positioned atthe desired location for setting in operation the smoothing and brushing means. The circuit from the photo-electric cell 12 leads to a control the smoothing means upon the goods passing over In passing flat work through the ironer, the same is located on the table it upon the travelling tapes I! which convey the work forward toward the series of ironing rolls It in the usual manner.

However, in passing over the slots ll light fromrolls hold the work firmly to the table.

mechanism indicated at 80 to which power is supplied fromthe main ll through intermediate switch-82. This mechanism is of any wellknown or special design whereby the motor '40 and solenoid 68 will be controlled in accordance with the interruption of the light from a lamp II to theicompanion photo-electric cell II by the passage of the work therebetween over said table II. When the work clears this portion of the machine, photo-electric cell 12 will again be energized and the reverse operation effected. Thus, when the work first intercepts the light from lamp ll, motor 40 will be energized for rotating the brushes in the direction of travel and at the same time solenoids 58 will be energized to cause the smoothing means and 3! to approach for a subsequent engagement with the advancing edge The first control action, initiated by the advancing work, provides for rotation of the brushing elements SI and SI in the direction of travel of the work for subsequent en agement with its advancing edge, whereas the latter control action provides for the engagement with the trailing edge of the work but with the brushing elements rotating in a direction opposed to the direction of travel of said work. Both edges will thereby of the work. By opening switch 2, the entire I smoothing-out operation may be dispensed with, the goods by-passing" and travelling through the machine in the usual manner.

The location of a said lamp and photo-electric cell with respect to these smoothing and brushing means is such that the time interval will be ample to bring the latter into operative position before the advancing edge is presented thereto. After this edge has been properly smoothed out, the motor circuit is interrupted, as by the limit switch of the motor, as well as the solenoid circuits so that the brushing means will be separated and no further action will be had until the-trailing edge of the work clears the slots 10 and causes a photo-electric cell I2 to be again energized. During the action of brushing out the advancing edge, the remaining portion of the work will be held firmly down to the table I! by the drag roll 28 and prevented from advancing at the speed of the brushing means whose velocity is much in excess of that of the normal be smoothed out so as to be in-proper condition for ironing of thework in its further travel through the ironing rolls.

I claim:

1. In an ironing machine for flat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession ofironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing edges thereof; and means in advance of said smoothing and brushing means and in the path of travel of the goods affected by the latter for control of the operation of said smoothing and brushing Cir travel of the goods. In addition, strings 21 will further prevent any upward curving or distortion of the goods, especially as the advancing leaves the brushing means.

Clearing of the slots ID by work advancing over table i2 sets again into operation the motor 40 which then rotates in the reverse direction and at the same time operates the solenoids to bring the smoothing and brushing means together for action on the trailing edge, said motor ceasing to rotate after a predetermined interval and the solenoids being deenergized so that said means will return to the separated position and be in condition for a repetition of the cycle when a further piece of work is put through the machine. 7o

means.

2. In an ironing machine forflat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods; means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing edges thereof, comprising separable, juxtaposed, and oppositelyrotatable brush members, means to rotate said brush members, and means controlled by the travel of the goods to select automatically their direction of rotation.

3. In an ironing'machine for flat work; including feeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the' opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trail ing edges thereof, comprising separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotatable brush members,- means to initiate rotation and approach of the brush members, and means to interrupt the rotation of the same after a predetermined interval of time, together with means to effect separation thereof.

4. In an ironing machine for flat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing edges thereof, comprising separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotatable brush members, electronic means disposed in the path of travel of the goods in advance of the brush members, and means controlled thereby to initiate rotation and approach of the brush members.-

5. In an ironing machine for flat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession means disposed in the path of travel of the goods in advance of the brush members, and means "controlled thereby to initiate rotation and approach of the brush members, together with means to interrupt the rotation of said brush members and means to effect separation thereof.

6. In an ironing machine for flat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing .rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing edges thereof, comprising separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotatable brush members, means to cause said brush members to approach each other and means to rotate them in the direction oftravel of the goods fed when the latter arrive at a predetermined location in advance of said brush members and in the reverse direction when said goods clear this location, and means to separate said brush members at a predetermined time interval thereafter.

7. In an ironing machine for flat work, inclndingfeeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located inter:- mediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing .edges thereof, comprising separable,-Juxtaposed, v and op s tely rotatable brush members, means to cause said brush members to approach each other and means to rotate them in the direction of travel of the goods fed when .the latter arrive at a predetermined location in advance of said brush members and in the reverse direction when said goods clear this location, and means to separate said brush members at a predetermined time interval thereafter, together with means to interrupt the rotation of the brush members as they are separated.

8. In an ironing machine for flat work, including feeding means for the goods and a succession of ironing rolls associated therewith for receiving the fed goods: means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for contacting the opposite surfaces of the fed goods to smooth and brush out the advancing and trailing edges thereof, comprising separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotatable brush members, means to rotate said brush members, means controlled by the travel of the goods to select automatically their direction of rotation, a tension roller bearing on the goods in advance of said brush members, and a tension roller bearing on said goods beyond said brush members.

9. In an ironing machine for flat work, including a succession of ironing rolls: a plurality of separated, longitudinal, narrow, endless feed tapes for advancing goods to the rolls and means for driving the tapes, means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls and extending substantially parallel to the latter and rotatable in the spaces between said tapes for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of the goods fed.

10. In an ironing machine for flat work, including a succession of ironingrolls: a plurality of separated, longitudinal, narrow, endless feed tapes for advancing goods to the rolls and means for driving the tapeameans located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of the goods fed, comprising a series of pairs of separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotating brushes adapted to rotate in the spaces between the respective tapes for contact with the goods passing therebetween, means to rotate said brushes, and means controlled by the travel of the goods to select automatically their direction of rotation. I

11. In an ironing machine for flat work, including a succession of ironing rolls: a plurality of separated, longitudinal, narrow, endless feed tapes for advancing goods to the rolls and means for driving the tapes, means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of the'goods-fed, comprising a series of pairs of separable, juxtaposed, and oppositely rotating brushes adapted to rotate in the spaces between the respective tapes for contact with the goods passing therebetween, endless string members operating above the respective tapes to bear upon the goods advanced thereby, means to rotate said brushes, and means controlled by the travel of the goods to'select automatically their direction of rotation.

12. In an ironing machine for flat work, including a succession of ironing rolls: a plurality of separated, longitudinal, narrow, endless feed tapes for advancing goods to the rolls and means for driving the tapes. means located intermediate the feeding means and the rolls for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of'the goods fed, comprising a series of pairs of seperable. juxtaposed, and oppositely rotating brushes adapted to rotate in the spaces between the respective tapes for contact with the goods passing tberebetween, means to rotate said brushes, and means in advance of said brushes controlled by the travel of the goods to select automatically their direction of rotation.

CHARLES EDWIN HAMILTON, 8a. 

